Taking care of your home all year long helps protect its value, prevent surprise repairs, and make a great impression—whether you’re living in it for life or planning to sell someday.

December is a busy month for all of us, but winterizing your outdoor faucets and pipes is a quick, no-stress, budget-friendly task that takes about 30 minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars in potential repairs. It’s one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort home maintenance tasks you’ll do all year.

Even though Austin’s winter is mild, we still experience those occasional overnight freezes. When outdoor pipes aren’t protected, trapped water can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to burst — leading to water damage, emergency repairs, and unnecessary stress in an already hectic season.

Here’s what to do:

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Leaving hoses attached can trap water in the faucet line.
• Install inexpensive foam faucet covers. You can find them for $2–$6 on Amazon or at any hardware store.
• Wrap exposed pipes. Foam pipe insulation is usually under $10 and easy to DIY. Even old towels secured with duct tape work in a pinch!
• Check newer homes too. New construction often includes insulated or frost-resistant spigots, but it’s still smart to double-check — especially in high-wind or exposed areas.

These quick steps prevent frozen pipes, protect your home’s equity, and give you peace of mind before the coldest nights hit.

If you’d like suggestions for faucet covers, pipe insulation, or a handyman referral to take care of it for you, I’m always here to help!